Over the Edge (Zimbabwe)

Over the Edge (OTE for short) is a Zimbabwean multi-racial Theatrical company. It is one of Zimbabwe's most prolific and successful independent theatre companies. They have won both local and international acclaim, as well as numerous awards.

They are best known for the imaginative re-inventions of Shakespeare and their original African works. They have had a long relationship with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and have close links to Reps Theatre.

Over the Edge first performed on the 29th of October 1994 at the Avondale Summer Arts Festival in Harare. The members had been friends for years, many having been in Repteens, and were invited to perform some street theatre. This rough and ready performance was the beginning of a long and successful relationship. The group was praised for its talent and enthusiasm but it was especially noted for its racial diversity. Although racial diversity had been standard practise in Zimbabwe Theatres and Theatrical companies since the 1960s, the majority of performers were inevitably white. Over the Edge, on the other hand, had more or less equal ratios of black, white and "coloured" members. For most of the company's existence Over the Edge had no formal artistic director, with all members contributing to the vision and growth of the group. Towards the end of their 10 year lifespan Wiina Msamati.was appointed artistic director for a short period. The group's final theatre piece as 'Over the Edge' was a production of Much Ado About Nothing in 2004.

The group performed numerous "re-imaginations" of Shakespeare, Arthur Miller, Moliere and Joe Orten. These adaptations were often set in Zimbabwe (or in an imagined Southern African country, similar to Zimbabwe) and had many satirical references to Zimbabwe's political scene. The group also performed numerous original comic political satires, with the group's trademark extremism.

The group won international acclaim when its productions of Twelfth Night and Eternal Peace Asylum were performed at the 2000 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The group got standing ovations, glowing reviews and packed houses. They won the "Spirit of The Fringe" award for Twelfth Night and Wiina Msamati was nominated for "Best Actor" in the Stage Awards for Acting Excellence, run by the London newspaper The Stage. The group went on to tour the United States in March 2001, playing at the American Repertory Theater in Boston and many other venues. The productions of Twelfth Night and Eternal Peace Asylum were well received by the American audiences.

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Wikipedia